The Fresno State Bulldoggers rodeo team introduced its new coach Uhuru Adem (pronounced you-hoo-roo ah-DEM) at a team demonstration on Saturday, Sept. 29.

"We are so happy to welcome Uhuru as our new rodeo coach,” said Dr. Sandra Witte, dean of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. “He is part of a new era in our rodeo program -- one that will secure the program for the future."

A 2015 Fresno State agricultural business graduate, Uhuru was a College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) saddle bronc qualifier both seasons that he competed for Fresno State in 2013 and 2014. He also competed two seasons for Feather River College in Northern California and graduated with an associate degree in 2012.

The past two years he has served as an assistant coach at West Hills Community College in Coalinga, where he helped guide the men’s team to an 11th-place finish at the CNFR national rodeo in 2018 and 27th-place finish in 2017.

The West Hills men’s team also won the regional championship in 2018 and the reserve regional championship in 2017. Uhuru helped organize practices, recruit student-athletes, manage student academic plans and served as an adjunct instructor.

Uhuru was also a Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) California Circuit Finals qualifier from 2012 through 2016.

“I’m truly proud to return to my alma mater and a place that has provided me so many fond memories,” said Uhuru. “The Central Valley has great support for the sport, our team, and agriculture in general, so the future is bright. We’re focused on continuing to build a prestigious program that will attract talented student-athletes from both this area and around the state, and it is already one of the West Coast’s largest and most respected.”

Before this semester, the rodeo team was coached the three prior seasons by another Fresno State alumnus, Tony Branquinho, who stepped down from his position this past summer to focus full-time on his family ranch near Arroyo Grande and other family commitments.

Last spring, the Fresno State men’s and women’s rodeo teams each ranked third in the region and were one place shy of advancing to the CNFR finale.

The team returns all five of its 2018 national individual qualifiers - seniors Colton Campbell (Klamath Falls) and Bodi Dodds (Sanger) and juniors Jacob Bairos (Modesto), Meagan Kautz (Santa Clarita) and Mitchell Parham (Clovis).

The Fresno State rodeo team dates back to 1946 and officially became a club in 1949 — the same year the first College National Finals Rodeo was held in San Francisco. Today, the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association sponsors more than 100 college rodeos that include 3,500 student members and 137 universities.

Learn how to support the rodeo team here.